CMI

Way back when, in late 2010, we were tasked with music supervising a brand new series set to premiere in January, 2011. The series was called Mob Wives, and to be honest, we were a little afraid. Ok, a lot afraid. But we knew it was going to be good, as the characters were undeniably compelling. The women’s rich histories, blended with their tough-as-nails personalities, all set against the NYC backdrop was going to produce nothing less than riveting television.

For each and every show that airs on VH1, a team of music supervisors here at the network have spent countless hours determining exactly what pieces of music best complement the footage that we have shot. This team—the CMI (Creative Music Integration) group—listen to thousands of songs each month in an attempt to figure out how best to utilize musical cues to reinforce the emotion and drama on shows like Mob Wives and Basketball Wives, so we thought it would be a cool idea to give you an inside glimpse into their world.

Each month, we’ll put together a list of all the songs that have been featured on the programs and promos that you see on VH1, which will be accompanied by two things: Specific commentary from the music supervisor as to why they selected a particular song for a particular scene in a show, as well as a Spotify playlist for you to sample these songs. Without further ado, here are all the songs that we featured on VH1 during the month of April!

Exciting news for all Single Ladies fans, the popular series is back for a second season kicking off May 28th at 9 p.m ET/PT! If you tune into VH1 over the next few weeks, you’ll see a promo featuring the hottest ladies of Atlanta serving up some cold treats in anticipation of the season premiere. And if you’re wondering what the catchy tune is playing during the spot, we’ve got you covered!

For this particular placement, we wanted to capture what VH1 Director of On Air Promos, Bex, describes as, “a happy, summer fun time extravaganza — with a song that really felt like a ‘song of the summer’.” VH1’s Creative Music Integration team picked through dozens of songs before pitching B.o.B’s “So Good”, off his 2012 album Strange Clouds (which hits stores next Tuesday, May 1). CMI Vice President, Jennifer, felt it not only perfectly fit the “song of the summer” description, but was also “a song that really stood a shot at being a hit.” And it’s no wonder since the track is quickly picking up steam, currently sitting in the Top 20 (#18) at Top 40 Mainstream radio and selling over 100K in digital singles, it’s revving up to be the perfect summer jam.

For each and every show that airs on VH1, a team of music supervisors here at the network have spent countless hours determining exactly what pieces of music best complement the footage that we have shot. This team —the CMI (Creative Music Integration) group— listen to thousands of songs each month in an attempt to figure out how best to utilize musical cues to reinforce the emotion and drama on shows like Mob Wives and Basketball Wives, so we thought it would be a cool idea to give you an inside glimpse into their world.

Each month, we’ll put together a list of all the songs that have been featured on the programs and promos that you see on VH1, which will be accompanied by two things: Specific commentary from the music supervisor as to why they selected a particular song for a particular scene in a show, as well as a Spotify playlist for you to sample these songs. Without further ado, here are all the songs that we featured on VH1 during the month of March!

City and Colour‘s “Hope For Now” is featured in Episode #210: The melancholic vocals from Canadian Dallas Green, aka City and Colour, capture the emotions between Ramona and her daughter after they visit Ramona’s boyfriend in jail. Saying goodbye to the father figure in her life proves to be tough as she’s reminded that he won’t be around every day like he used to be. After Green sings “how can I instill so much hope but be left with none of my own” we hear Ramona relate her daughter’s current situation with her visits to her grandfather.—Isaac, CMI Music Supervisor

Chances are viewers are drawn to Mob Wives every Sunday night to catch the explosive drama, tears and laughs (courtesy of Big Ang) that our favorite Staten Island ladies never seem to run short of. This week was no different as we watched Carla’s warm reunion with ex-husband Joe, newly divorced Drita’s fledging dating attempts, and Big Ang opening up about her tumultuous marriage. However, it was the scene where Renee is shown quietly lamenting Junior‘s distant behavior that seemed to really resonate with the Mob Wives audience this week. Her loneliness and vulnerability in this scene is brilliantly emphasized by the accompanying music, Gary Clark Jr‘s “Things Are Changin’.”

The scene opens with footage of desolate locations around Staten Island, as the sun sets we hear Clark’s smooth R&B vocals over the gentle plucking of a jazzy guitar. As we transition into Renee’s home, we find her lying in her bed almost cradling herself. It seems she and Junior have hit a crossroads again after discussing the future of their relationship. As she explains, “Something just don’t sit right. I just don’t feel right. It just feels so unfinished…” A shot of Junior driving away highlights the increasing distance between them. The lyric “Things are changing now and I can’t tell/Where I’ll be from here on out/Ooh it’s hell” poignantly accentuates the uncertainty of their relationship.

We asked a few members of VH1’s CMI (Creative Music Integration) group —they’re the people who determine which songs appear in our on-air programming— to give us a quick summary of acts that they really enjoyed during their time down in Austin, artists whose music seems likely for future sync opportunities in commercials, TV programs or films. So, fire up your Spotify and start sampling bands that you’re likely to hear a lot more from as 2012 progresses.

DOOMTREE
Swan Dive, an official SXSW venue, was packed to the brim, sweltering hot, and buzzing with energy in anticipation for Doomtree, a hip hop collective out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Armed with an eclectic sound that blends hip hop, R&B, and bluesy rock, this group of seven distinct MCs preformed with the aggressive energy of a punk act and just the right amount of hip hop swagger. Songs like “Little Mercy” with its blues-inspired vocals and dramatic, motivational lyrics (“We’re so hungry / We’re so thirsty / But I’m gonna hunt until it hurts me”), Doomtree’s music might fit perfectly in a commercial for an upcoming sporting event or a Nike commercial if they went down an edgier route.—Monsé, Creative Music Integration AssistantFor Fans Of:Grieves

FALLULAH
This Copenhagen-based songstress impressed a sizable crowd during her short Saturday night set at SXSW. She performed a few songs off her debut album Black Cat Neighbourhood (2010) and one new song although she added, “I suppose it doesn’t really matter because I’m new to all of you.” Songs like “Only Human” and “I Lay My Head” showcased her strong lyrical skills, expressive vocals, and vibrant instrumentation peppered with catchy handclaps and whistling. Fallulah has managed to create a richly layered musical landscape that has the potential to fit nicely within shows where it could add that extra oomph to a light hearted, upbeat scene in a female driven dramaedy (think Grey’s Anatomy) or teen drama (Pretty Little Liars).—Monsé, Creative Music Integration AssistantFor Fans Of:Florence + The Machine, Lykke Li, Marina and the Diamonds

For each and every show that airs on VH1, a team of music supervisors here at the network have spent countless hours determining exactly what pieces of music best complement the footage that we have shot. This team —the CMI (Creative Music Integration) group— listen to thousands of songs each month in an attempt to figure out how best to utilize musical cues to reinforce the emotion and drama on shows like Mob Wives and Basketball Wives, so we thought it would be a cool idea to give you an inside glimpse into their world.

Each month, we’ll put together a list of all the songs that have been featured on the programs and promos that you see on VH1, which will be accompanied by two things: Specific commentary from the music supervisor as to why they selected a particular song for a particular scene in a show, as well as a Spotify playlist for you to sample these songs. Without further ado, here are all the songs that we featured on VH1 during the month of February!

Carmen Liana’s “Who I Am” in Black History Month Promo“When the promos department approached us for ideas on a song to be used in several Black History Month promos, Carmen Liana’s ‘Who I Am’ immediately came to mind. It’s a driving track with a touch of attitude in the hook that catches your attention. Lyrically, the theme of the song, which celebrates embracing your identity, ties in nicely with Black History Month.“—Lacey, VH1/CMI Department Assistant